By

Rev. Mutinda Musyimi

Introduction Our calling to the ministry comes with

tremendous privileges and awesome challenges.

The world expects answers to their emerging questions and life threatening concerns

Our archenemy the devil is leveling the severest attacks to us day and night as leaders (Zech.13:7).

Spiritual formation is a gap that needs to be addressed urgently in our churches and seminaries.

What is Spiritual Formation?

Spiritual formation is the growth and development of the whole person by an intentional focus on one’s:

1. spiritual and interior life,

2. Interactions with others in ordinary life, and

3. The spiritual practices (prayer, the study of scripture, fasting, confession, solitude etc)

What is SF (Cont)? A process through which God works

through the dimension of our human life in order to enable us to know and do his will and purpose.

It is God who takes the initiative but we must cooperate 2 Cor. 3:18, Col.1:15

Romans 12 sees it as a process of becoming like Christ (compassion, forgiveness, deeply care)

We cannot transform ourselves, it is by God’s grace that he liberates us from our bondage, uncleanness and spiritual deadness.

Nature of SF

It is intentional The formation must be integrated Spiritual formation must be measurable It must be a priority of every Christian

not just leaders/workers It must span the entire ministry

experience

Strategies for Developing SF

Regular devotional sessions Weekly covenant groups and service

opportunities Mentoring links Peer accountability Individual meetings with other leaders to

discuss about spiritual formation issues on a personal level

Implications of Spiritual Formation We become Christ-like if we are prepared to deal

with our own spiritual formation (Our real self will mature through special time with Christ)

The minister who goes through spiritual formation will impact others for Christ (Our practice in the ministry becomes powerful and transformative) The two have to go together

i) Being…Our transformed self ii) Doing… Our practice/service

Purposes for Jesus use of Solitude Mat. 4:1 -11 to prepare for his public

ministry Luke 6:12 to seek the will of God the

father Mat. 14:23, Mark 1:35, for intense and

focused prayer To Refill

Results of Spiritual Formation He restores us Forgives and cleanses us Renews us by filling us with life Restores us into wholeness by shaping

us Enables us to serve others by

transforming us (true religion is never a private affair; we are his agents).

Methods of Enhancing Spiritual Formation1. Bible intake We lament the scriptural illiteracy in our

times Ways to study scriptures: Topical,

Character Studies, Book Studies God wants us to study scriptures

carefully:-◦ Examine details for clarity Ezra 7:10◦ Pay attention to grammar, geography, culture

and history ◦ Apply the word praying to seek to apply the

word correctly◦ Improve the intake by memorizing, meditating

the word.

Cont.

2. Stewardship Responsibility for taking good care of

resources entrusted to one.◦ Time: Ephesians 5:15 -16. time lost is never

redeemed. Time is short, easily lost◦ We are accountable to God how we use our time

Property. I Cor. 10:26, Psalms 24:1, Job 41:11.◦ All property belong to God, we are only stewards◦ Whatever we do with the property entrusted to us

should be pleasing to God; worship.

Cont.

3. Worship

The aim is to enjoy God for who he is to us.

John 4:23;17:17 gives us the guidelines Worship him in spirit…involving the whole

person, the mind and heart. Sincerity. Worship him in truth…It is in truth, that is it

is according to the dictates of the Word of God, which is the TRUTH

Cont.

4. Prayer Jesus expects us to pray Mt 6:5,Luke

11:9 The Scriptures commands us to pray

Colosians4:2, I Thess. 5:17 All aspects of our ministry call dedication

in prayer, Ephesians 6:19. we are never to rely on our own strength.

Cont.5. ServiceWe are transformed in order to serve the

world better.Illustration: Pony Express, founded on 3/4/180

and wound up 8/11/1861 due to lack of business after the completion the telegraph line.

Before being wound up, they once carried this advertisement:- WANTED: TO YOUNG, SKINNY, WIRY, FELLOWS NOT OVER 18. MUST BE EXPERT RIDERS WILLING TO RISK DAILY. ORPHANS PREFERRED.

Cont.

From Pony Express we learn two things about our service:-

1. Our services must be commensurate to the dynamics of the society. The message is the same but the dynamics will never be the same from one generation to another.

2. Serving should be a matter of priority, the ministry is no place for idlers or pastime.

LEADERS WHO DID NOT MIND THEIR SPIRITUAL FORMATIONSamson Judges 14:1 Judges 16:1Sons of Eli I Samuel 2:11 - 17King Saul I Samuel 15:23Judas Mathew 27:3 – 5Demas II Timothy 4:9

THE END

GOD BLESS YOU ALL, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING.